tool name

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

Henry Clay linebacker Federspiel takes after his famous dad

Son of former UK linebacker is Henry Clay's leading tackler

Mike Federspiel has an easy smile and even temperament until he buckles his chin strap as Henry Clay's middle linebacker and goes looking for somebody to hit.

"Mike is a nice guy, a smart, well-rounded kid who's an outstanding student," Blue Devils Coach Sam Simpson said. "But when he plays, he plays with a lot of intensity."

Just like his dad.

Joe Federspiel was an All-Southeastern Conference linebacker at Kentucky in the early 1970s and went on to play 10 years in the NFL.

Mike has watched film of his dad in his playing days.

"He had a motor and never stopped playing," Mike said. "That's what I try to do. I try to go hard every play and not take a break.

"All of his teammates and friends say he was one of the hardest workers they ever saw. I try to be like that, too."

Joe, an assistant coach at Henry Clay, says his son has a linebacker's mentality and the physical tools to go with it.

"Mike's got a little bit of that demon in him. He flicks the switch when he has to," Joe said. "He's 6-31/2, 210 pounds and can go just about anyplace and do anything he wants on the football field."

After missing his sophomore season with a knee injury, Mike came back strong last year and was the leading tackler in Lexington.

He is Henry Clay's top tackler again this season and is a big reason the Blue Devils have recovered from an 0-4 start to win six in a row.

"Mike's been steady for us all year," Simpson said.

Henry Clay visits Boone County in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs Friday night. The Devils beat Boone County 14-7 on its home field three weeks ago.

"It's good and bad that we beat them," Federspiel said.

"It was their senior night, so that gives them the revenge factor. But it gives us confidence knowing we can win if we just execute."

The top priority for Henry Clay is stopping Boone County's running game, led by Charles Quainoo, the state's top rusher.

In the first meeting, the Devils contained Quainoo in the first half, but he wound up with 112 yards before leaving with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.

"We did a pretty good job on him, but we've got to make sure we tackle him when we get hold of him," Federspiel said. "He's a tough runner."

And Quai noo will be facing a tough defender in Federspiel.

"We're lucky to have Mike," Simpson said. "He's one of the best I've ever coached.

"He's got size, range, he's smart and very instinctive. He can cover people out of the backfield, and he can run people down and make plays. He's exactly what you like to have at middle linebacker."

Federspiel, who won't turn 18 until February, is getting looks from UK, Louisville, Cincinnati, Western Kentucky and Miami (Ohio).

"Everything is still up in the air," he said. "I have no idea where I'll go."

One thing's for sure: once he gets there, he'll go full speed.